[TamilNet, Sunday, 18 January 2009, 14:27 GMT]At least 18 civilians have been confirmed killed within the last 24 hours till 3:00 p.m. Sunday in several villages of Mullaiththeevu district and the outer suburbs of Ki'linochchi district to the east of A9 highway. Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has stepped up artillery barrage continuously throughout the period, causing deaths and injuries to several. Dead bodies have been spotted in many places and transportation of wounded has been completely blocked due to the relentless artillery barrage. At least 42 civilians were wounded Sunday alone, according to available data. Medical authorities in Puthukkudiyiruppu express fear that the casualty figure could be much higher than what has been reported.

Many outer suburbs of Ki'lnochchi are un-accessible for medical transport as continuous artillery barrage has targeted road infrastructure, completely blocking ambulances and all other transport of wounded and killed.

The artillery shelling and Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) attacks have been continuing from Saturday morning throughout Sunday evening.

8 civilians were killed according to the details based on recovered victims from Piramanthanaa'ru and Thearaavil in Ka'ndaava'lai division of Ki'linochchi district, and from Redd Barna settlement in Visuvamadu in Puthukkudiyiruppu division of Mullaiththeevu district.

At least 10 civilians have been killed Sunday so far and more than 42 wounded, including children, women and elderly, the latest reports said.